Julius Calendar 908
Month Of The Weakest Solaris
21st
--
Fangs vision went black as his eyes snapped shut and he braced himself for what he knew was going to be the greatest impact of his pitifully short life. To Fangs ears the howl that erupted from his own lips didn't sound like it originated from his own throat. It mixed with his sisters shrill scream creating a cacophony of terror that sounded far away and remote. Disassociated. The one noise that heavily resounded within the darkness of his shut vision was the frantic beating of his young heart.
“FANG!”
A reverberating roar ripped forth behind him tearing apart the disassociation and viciously striking his ears. The massive shockwave of sound hit him physically like a blow from a hammer. Fangs head throbbed and his closed eyes blearily opened to a spinning pitching world. Multitudes upon multitudes of colourful birds within half a mile took flight as the imposing roar rampaged within the Axe. The midnight black Aroncole visibly flinched as the great sound blasted into its finely attuned ears.
Fang was moving far too rapidly to come to a halt and now as his ears throbbed and his vision swum from the still echoing earth shaking roar he tripped and violently pitched forward. Slamming into the hard leafy ground he slid upon his belly across the rugged forest ground as his great momentum refused to allow him to gently stop. He eventually ungainly came to a halt face down. Raising his scratched face that was stained with blood, snot and tears his frenzied gaze that had regained a portion of clarity caught behold of the imposing black Aroncole that was standing atop his sobbing sister no more than a yard away from where he now lay prostrate.
The beast was all the more insidious to his gaze from such a close range. It's yellow eyes flickered with a calculated cunning that flushed the remainder of the frantic rage from his system. He lay paralysed on the rugged forest floor as he realised what he had just been about to career head first into. A monstrously wicked Aroncole that stood taller in stature than even he himself did. He had quite literally been running to his own death. The horrifying realisation was utterly sobering.
As his terrified green gaze examined the beast from such a personal vantage point his fear fogged muggy mind noticed that it seemed guarded. The wailing Talon clasped within its sinister claws was entirely disregarded as its malicious eyes cautiously sized up something behind the prone Fang. Then to Fangs fazed minds complete bewilderment the Aroncole did something so unexpected his jaw fell agape. Instead of sinking its vicious beak into his sisters unprotected feeble neck it slowly turned its long sinuous body so it was facing directly towards Fang then whilst hunching lower than it had been before it slowly slinked backwards. As the beast retreated from his sobbing sisters form upon the ground it never once removed its intense intelligent glare from something that lurked behind Fang.
As Fangs mind reeled in shock at the unexpected turn of events something rough and powerful suddenly grabbed the back of Fangs neck in a tight grasp. Crinkling his dirty boyish features from the surprising pain he yelped as he was hauled upwards. Hauled up to his feet. Once standing the iron grasp about his neck loosened then moved to his right youthful shoulder roughly pulling him backwards. Fang was in a stunned stupor as he stumbled backwards. His befuddled mind was reeling and he had no idea as to what was happening. Whilst he stupidly teetered backwards a large shadow on his right glided past him moving directly in front of him. Blocking his confused and scared gaze from the insidious Aroncole.
Fangs terrified green eyes grew wide as he realised what the shadow that had just slipped in from of him was. It was the broad back of a tall imposing man. Across the mans shoulders was draped a dirty worn black pelt adorned with many holes that led upwards into a hood that obscured the entirety of the mans thick back and head from Fangs gaze. The young boys scared expression froze for a moment then wiping the mud, tears and blood away from his terrified eyes he blinked a few times as if making sure he wasn't hallucinating. As he confirmed his sight was truthful tears of a radically different kind to the frightened ones that had just been flowing once again spilt from his eyes cascading down his ragged and worn face. Turbulent emotions swirled within him as be viewed that strong back that steadily advanced forward. Relief, joy and a deep rooted reassurance that they would all walk away alive flushed away the terror, rage and anguish that had only moments ago been constricting his stocky chest.
As the man took a steady step forwards the Aroncole took a steady step back. There was a deep rooted wariness within its intelligent gaze as it glared at the domineering figure that stood before it. It seemed to be of the same species of the two creatures it had just been hunting but the Aroncoles finely honed instincts whispered to it, telling it to turn tail and flee in the face of a predator deadlier than even itself. For a short moment Talons sobbing and the crunching of two pairs of heavy footsteps were the sole noises that filled the environment that was rife with tension. Talons sobbing soon stilled as the man reached her prone form and towered over her.
Talon felt the crushing weight of the beast atop her disappear. Her little eyes were screwed shut tight and her choking wails were pitifully despondent. Her befuddled terrified mind grasped at vague straws as she tried to guess at what was happening but a thick fog of fear kept screaming at her that at some point soon she was going to die. Any second now the Aroncoles wickedly hooked beak would clamp around her frail little blonde head and that would be it. She'd die. It was because of this deep rooted despair that the girl stayed curled upon the floor with her eyes balled shut, her only motion the shuddering shaking of her chest as she sobbed and wailed.
But as the fate that she thought was inevitable continued be delayed some of the thick fear that blanketed her sense of reason dissipated. She felt the slightly warm sun rays on her face. For now she was still alive. Sucking a deep breath into her lungs she fought back against the overwhelming fear and terror of imminent death and opened her eyes. Blearily looking around she took in the muddy forest floor she lay upon. Craning her head she peered behind her. No Aroncole.
Abruptly the gentle warm light of the sun that had filtered through the dense canopy overhead was robbed from her frightened form. Glancing upwards Talons terrified sobbing caught in her throat. Looming over her like a great pillar stretching to the blue heavens was a domineering bronzed man. He wore only a hide loincloth and old Aroncole cloak. His frame was burly and muscular, his biceps alone similar in size to Talons tiny torso. Upon his face was a thick bushy brown beard that grew many inches from his obscured but strong jawline. The beard concealed the lower portion of a faded scar than ran the length of the left side of his face from his eye downwards. A great mane of hazel hair fanned out from underneath the Aroncole skull he donned as hood. Within the mans glimmering chestnut eyes a darkness that normally stayed coiled and buried was revealing its full depth fanned to life by a smouldering rage and worry.
Talons distraught sobbing caught in her throat and her heart was doused in an overwhelming flood of relief and warmth. It didn't matter that the the ferocious Aroncole was assuredly still in the area. Right now she was safe. Now this man was here she was safe. Her youthful voice that was normally filled with vigour and energy sounded out cracked from fatigue and crying. “Uncle Jasper.” There was bone deep love wrapped within her hoarse voice.
Looking down at the ragged injured little girl he had watched and cared for throughout the years Jasper softly smiled. “Get up Talon.” His voice was as smooth and as steady as it always was, reassuring both of the tense terrified twins. He extended a strong bronze hand down to her however his gaze that was wrapped in a smouldering darkness never left the Aroncole whom was cautiously crouched only but ten yards away.
The Jasper of today was far removed from the individual who had similarly exchanged glares with a smaller beast ten years back. The boy of yesteryear had been overcome with fright and had turned tail before facing his fears for his father and hamlet. The man of today was barely suppressing the dark desire that burned hot within his stomach to rush forward and tear apart the animal before him. Ever since the day he had extracted the twins from the mound of corpses that the was Little Willow a sinister cluster of darkness had taken root inside of him. It influenced him daily. Before that day he didn’t have a single reservation about killing his prey but afterwards he found a sliver of satisfaction was to be had by hunting an animal down and ending its life with his bare hands. Obviously such deep dark blackness and wretched emotion was kept locked up by a warm affection and blissful tenderness when he was around the twins. But now he found the root of the warmth and affection that he cherished and used to chain his darkness away threatened Jasper was seething.
The berserk fury was bubbling inside of his stomach with greater and greater intensity and just as he could contain it no longer and was about to burst forward and engage in a slaughter a small shaking tender hand grasped his own. The boiling fury was chained rapidly by a deep concern as he felt the trembling little hand within his own. With an effortless motion Jasper pulled Talon to her trembling legs. His sharp gaze noted that Talon stood beside him with a slight limp on her right leg. Compressing the wrath away deep inside of him Jasper dismissed the notion of slaying the Aroncole for now. The twins immediate safety was his greatest priority.
“Get behind me and back away slowly” Jaspers voice was slow and steady, it didn't convey a single iota of the rage that coiled within him. He didn't want to alarm and spook the crouched beast that was still and cautious before him. The Aroncole was tentatively eyeing up Talon who was now feebly limping backwards, however it's cunning yellow eyes drifted back to the imposing form of Jasper and its instincts quivered putting an absolute stop to any wicked intentions it had been having. The Aroncole was at base a creature of instinct, it would pay their wise council close heed.
Jasper warily observed Fang slowly dart forward and wrap an arm in support around Talon before they stealthily and slowly hobbled away from Jaspers broad back who was acting as an impenetrable barrier between them and the scared Aroncole. A few breaths passed and the two steadily got further and further away. Jaspers bronze brows creased deeply. The Aroncoles sharp yellow eyes were irate and worriedly fixated upon the twins who were limping in retreat. The long graceful tail began swishing aggressively through the air whilst it's hooked beak opened and closed somewhat. Jaspers many years as a woodsman let him easily read the animals behaviour. He knew it was getting increasingly nervous and agitated. Agitated and nervous animals do dangerous things.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Suddenly the Aroncole moved, it turned and began pacing side to side in front of Jasper all the while intently glaring at Fang and Talon who were now near fifty yards away. Jasper was glaring at the Aroncole far more intently. His mind was rapidly analysing the situation trying to ascertain as to what it was that was agitating the beast. Perhaps his own close vicinity? He could think of no other reason so Jasper took a small step back.
Fangs glistening green eyes never once left the strong broad back of his uncle Jasper as he steadily moved further away from the ferocious Aroncole. The pair of them were moving in a heavy cloaking silence bar their deep breathing. He had Talons slender right arm wrapped over his own shoulders and was supporting her as she hobbled backwards. She was quickly regaining her agile mobility. Although the beast had grasped her shin within its lethal grip it hadn't inflicted any severe damage, it had merely wanted to hold her in place not injure her. They were now nearly fifty yards from uncle Jasper and the Aroncole suddenly turned and started pacing to and fro. Nervousness fanned to life within Fangs heart, the last thing he wanted to watch was uncle Jasper mauled by the very vicious beast they had provoked. The Aroncole that was slinking about before him was far bigger than the skin he wore as a cloak, Fang knew he had received the scar upon his left cheek in retaliation for killing the smaller beast. Worry wormed its way into Fangs chest in force as he thought to there. He trusted uncle Jasper implicitly but having faced the beast personally he knew of its grand sheer size and the debilitating terror it inspired within one.
Fangs green eyes went wide as he watched Jasper softly take a small step back. Then his hurried breath stalled in his throat as he watched the pacing Aroncole burst into explosive motion. With a few bounding leaps it careered off to the right of uncle Jasper ripping through any resisting undergrowth at a rapid speed before angling directly towards himself and Talon. The terror that had only just been extinguished once again frantically fanned to life as he stared slack jawed at the great predator that raced towards them. Every single motion it made was powerful and the way in which its callous yellow eyes bored into the twins suggested it had devoted itself to hunting them down.
A breath hadn't even passed and Fang could only weakly stare at the encroaching loping beast. A small portion of him screamed that he should turn tail and run with Talon however his body would only weakly stand and watch, the great fatigue of the last few minutes had taken a heavy toll on the young boys mind. Instead of fleeing his eyes devoured the contours and shape of the incoming Aroncole searing its ferocious frenzied form into the deepest recesses of his memory.
Within Fangs vision that was centred upon the powerful Aroncole a black shadow flashed by his peripherals then burst into his direct line of sight. It moved like an enraged bolt of lightning tearing through thick thorny bushes as if they were duckweeds bursting towards the moving beasts side. In less than a heartbeat the shadow reached the unaware Aroncole. A wet crunch rang before eerie silence returned to the Axe after the sudden burst of movement.
Fang blinked in daze. From the Aroncole initially moving to the wet crunch ringing forth no more than four seconds had ticked by. His boyish green eyes were awash with a aghast shock and surprise. His gaze had captured the sudden happening of the events and he was now entranced by what he saw. The flashing shadow had been uncle Jasper. Both hunter and hunted were now motionless, frozen still. Uncle Jasper stood serenely to the side of the great black beast that had now become limp. The Aroncoles body lay prone on the floor it's back right leg still weakly thrashed and kicked. Uncle Jaspers right robust hand was extended outwards and had taken within its grasp the top of the beasts midnight black head. The Aroncoles skull had been utterly crushed within his encompassing grasp. Large shards of white stained an iridescent crimson jutted through the black fur of the remnants of the Aroncoles head standing tall through clenched fingers. Brain matter and blood stained uncle Jaspers bronze hands crimson and grey.
An aghast shock and queasiness bubbled into being within Fangs stomach. Rapidly flushing away the revulsion was an overwhelming sense of relief that uncle Jasper was alright. Then came a wave of profoundly deep respect for the indomitable strength uncle Jasper had just revealed. There was a small thread of fear mixed in within it. Fang himself was entirely aware of the ferocity and power the Aroncole had at its grasp. Yet the death it had just suffered resembled a rabbits within the jaws of a wolf. Fang was overwhelmed.
Jasper released his clenched bronze hand and let loose a sigh of release. His body that had been tightly wound up slowly relaxed. Within his hazel eyes the shroud of darkness that had just now surged upwards with a spiralling howl retreated to the recesses of his gaze as he fluidly bent down and wiped his hand upon the forest floor cleansing it of brain matter and scarlet blood. Looking at the large corpse that still twitched with remnant life a trace of puzzlement creased his brow. Why had the Aroncole that had obviously been frightful of him acted in such a rash forced way? Turning his gaze towards the twins who limply stood still his gaze roamed about until it came to rest upon the twigged nest that was nearly directly above them. For a split moment Jaspers hazel eyes that were fixated upon the nest turned a muggy grey before rapidly returning to normal. Jasper sighed. There was no satisfaction within his answer just a strong sourness.
Jasper gently shook his head causing his thick hazelnut mane to roll and wave. “The things a parent will do.” Gracefully rising to his feet he fluidly traversed the forest to the shocked and battered Fang and Talon who had both sunk to a seat upon the leafy floor. As he neared them his voice scathingly rung out. It was cutting and unsympathetic. “Talon. Not only did you nearly get yourself killed you nearly killed your brother. The reckless stupidity needs to stop. Today.”
Talons pale face fell and she dropped her head in obvious shame her long blonde hair hiding her forlorn features. Her reply was weak and feeble and softly emerged from within the waterfall of hair. “Sorry.” Jasper opened his mouth to tell her it wasn't him she needed to apologise to. “Fang. I was stupid and you suffered for it. I'm sorry” But as Talon continued his reprimand caught in his throat and his slightly agape mouth closed. Talon lifted her heavy head and pathetically stared at her brother. Her shimmering blue eyes had once again grown tearful.
Seeing the weak look that Talon cast at him that contrasted so bitterly with the normal energy she exuded Fang smiled softly. Warmly he comforted her. “Hey you didn't ask me to follow you. That’s something I chose to do.” Seeing her weakly smile but still remaining plagued by negativity he continued. “And it's something I'll always choose to do Talon.” She paused as she heard him then the tears in her shimmering blue eyes began freely flowing as she savoured her brothers tender words. Jasper remained stony faced however a smile could be seen floating within his eyes at Fangs response. “Uncle Jasper. Were you following us this whole time?” Fangs tired voice sounded out again this time laced with a deep curiosity. He wanted to know why they had been rescued, surely it wasn't a coincidence that Jasper had just been hunting in the area.
Pausing for a moment Jasper turned his head to gaze out at the surrounding gloomy forest appreciating the odd rays of light that pierced the overhead canopy and softy filtered down to the ground. Silence reigned for a moment before he replied without looking at them, his voice as steady and smooth as always. “Whilst out hunting I suddenly had a terrible feeling. Straight away I went back to the glade to find you were both gone. So I set out tracking after the pair of you. I struggled but luckily caught up in time… Very luckily.” He paused for a moment to let the twins digest his narrative before fixing his sight on Fang and continuing somewhat more softly. “It's a good job you went with her Fang. If it wasn't for your obvious tracks I wouldn’t of covered the ground as quick as I did.” A sheepish smile flickered on Fangs face from the somewhat underhanded praise. Jaspers solemn face grew increasingly grave as he turned his gaze towards the large nest up within the oak above them. “Wait here for a moment. I won't leave a child to suffer after killing its parent.”
Talons tired pale face turned and followed Jaspers iron gaze. When she caught sight of the nest and realised his meaning a deep sorrow surfaced within her glistening blue eyes. Struggling to her feet she hobbled in between Jasper and the oak before whispering softly. “Uncle Jasper… Please don't.”
Jasper turned his icy gaze onto the little girl. “Would you rather the baby starve to death waiting on a mother that isn't coming back?” His voice was steady but the cutting intent wasn't concealed.
Talon bit her lips. “No… I can look after it” her voice was quite and hesitant, lacking any firm resolve.
“Why? Why would you want to look after a wild Aroncole Talon? They're animals ruled by instincts. You yourself would need to feed it daily, I hope you wouldn't expect me to hunt for a beast. When you feed it your only repayment will be scratches and bites. When it's older the small amount of prey in the outskirts of the Axe won't be enough. Preys far and few in between for us as it is. It's an animal of the deep Axe Talon. The day you can't feed it or food runs short it will turn its yellow eyes upon you as its next meal.” Jaspers answer was smooth, well thought out and entirely true.
Talons blue eyes wavered for a moment as she listened to each valid point Jasper made. But after he finished she once again turned her gaze to the nest up high. Thinking of the innocent child nestled within that was to be killed because of what she had done her wavering resolution was reinforced by iron. Silence reigned for a breath before Talon spoke slowly and far more surely than before. “Uncle Jasper the baby's mother died because I came to close to the nest. It's my fault I know that. It may be hard but I don't want that baby to die because of my stupidity. No matter what it takes I'll do it.” Her voice softened “Please uncle Jasper.”
Jasper turned to Fang who sat quietly upon the ground. Sensing Jaspers gaze Fang knew he was being asked for input. Jasper was right it was a matter that affected all three of them after all. Turning to look at his sister who stared intently at him he looked back at her. Recognising the resolution he found within her eyes he helplessly sighed. “As long as I don't end up as a midnight Aroncole snack I don't mind.” His reply was weak with fatigue and some reluctance but he would concede if his twin truly had her heart set. Besides if the beast grew too unruly he knew uncle Jasper would be the first to act.
Talon stared at Jasper imploringly begging him to agree with her glimmering blue eyes. Jasper stood firm and still for a moment before he slowly turned and walked away. His solemn voice hung in the air behind him. “If you want it you can get it. Get climbing Talon.”
A young girls delighted giggle resounded in reply.
--
Julius Calendar 908
Month Of The Weakest Solaris 21st
Talon takes in an Aroncole pup
--